Posted by the Google Bazel staff

Bazel 7 is now launched. Bazel is Google’s open supply construct system for quick and proper builds. It has built-in assist for constructing each consumer and server software program, together with consumer purposes for each Android and iOS platforms. It additionally supplies an extensible framework that you should use to develop your personal construct guidelines. Bazel builds virtually all Google merchandise, together with Google Search, GMail, and Google Docs.

What’s new in Bazel 7?

Bazel 7 is the newest main launch on the long-term assist (LTS) monitor. It consists of:

Bzlmod: Bzlmod, Bazel’s new modular exterior dependency administration system, is now enabled by default (i.e. –enable_bzlmod defaults to true). In case your venture would not have a MODULE.bazel file, Bazel will create an empty one for you. The outdated WORKSPACE mechanism will proceed to work alongside the brand new Bzlmod-managed system. Be taught extra about what’s modified since Bazel 6 and what’s developing in Bazel 8 and 9.

Construct with out the Bytes (BwoB): Construct with out the Bytes for builds utilizing distant execution is now enabled by default (i.e. –remote_download_outputs defaults to toplevel). Bazel will now not attempt to obtain any intermediate outputs from the distant server, however solely the outputs of requested top-level targets as an alternative. This considerably improves distant construct efficiency. Be taught extra about BwoB.

Merged evaluation and execution (Skymeld): Challenge Skymeld goals to enhance multi-target construct efficiency by eradicating the boundary between the evaluation and execution phases and permitting targets to be independently executed as quickly as their evaluation finishes.

Platform-based toolchain decision for Android and C++: This transformation helps streamline the toolchain decision API throughout all rulesets, obviating the necessity for language-specific flags. It additionally removes technical debt by having Android and C++ guidelines use the identical toolchain decision logic as different rulesets. Full particulars for Android builders can be found in the Android Platforms announcement.

What’s subsequent?

Learn the full launch notes for Bazel 7, and observe alongside as we work collectively in the direction of Bazel 8:

If in case you have any questions or suggestions, or wish to share one thing you’ve constructed, attain out to product@bazel.construct. We’d love to listen to from you!